Take a magical trip to a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and holiday beauty at the Chicago Botanic Garden when we kick off the holiday season! Outside, 750,000 lights sparkle and welcome you and your family to the Garden's wonderland. Inside the Regenstein Center, a 10,000-square-foot exhibition of miniature trains winds over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls, and through more than 80 mini-replicas of Chicago's favorite landmarks. Paul Busse, designer of the Model Railroad Garden, created this amazing exhibition exclusively for the Garden's holiday celebration.

Holly Days, sponsored by the Warrenville Park District is the City's annual holiday celebration that marks Santa's official entry into Warrenville. Guests can enjoy a warm bonfire, raffles, free horse and carriage rides, hot cider and cookies, and, of course, a visit with Santa. Local Park District and school dance troops, singers, and bands entertain attendees during the event. It is at this event that Warrenville officially turns on its holiday lights creating an array of colors for passersby along Route 56 to see. Holly Days, primarily for Warrenville residents, gives the community an opportunity to come together and kick off the holiday season.

Illumination is where lights meet nature, harnessing technology to draw attention to the beauty of trees in the winter months. Immerse yourself in a symphony of music and light at our interactive experience of dazzling projections, sweeping lights, sparkling chandeliers, and lilting melodies on a mile-long walk through the Arboretum.

Together, adults and children can explore cool things about how plants connect to science, art, history, and culture. Each program includes a variety of hands-on activities and projects, as well as opportunities to bring the Garden home. Programs run from November through April on Saturdays.

"Best in the Midwest or Anywhere" monthly Flea Market with more than 1000 dealers displaying and selling antiques, collectibles & Fancy Junque. The monthly Flea Market is held the first Sunday of each month and the preceding Saturday. Food served all day.

Olde England comes alive in Historic Downtown Antioch with lifelike figures representing scenes from the Dickens Era. The Dickens Holiday Village is back and the handcrafted Dickens characters made by our volunteer artists will bring a Public Art Program that is free for everyone to enjoy! Antioch will proudly displayed 45 Dickens characters for people to tour. Each character has a plaque describing the scene and also serves as an educational tool for students. Take a self-guided tour with one of our Dickens Walking Brochure Maps or reserve a tour guide for groups of 24 or more. Plus there is plenty of Dickens Fun for everyone in November and December. You may enjoy Dickens Teas, an Antioch "Oliver" dog afternoon, Dress like Dickens event, and much more.

Come out to downtown Grayslake on Saturdays for the Fall Farmers Market. The market will offer seasonal produce, baked goods, wine and cheeses, spices, organic selections, ready-to-eat food, live entertainment and much more. The fall market is located at Centennial Park 147 Center Street in downtown Grayslake. For details and vendors please visit the website.

The 7th Annual Elgin Short Film Festival promises to be an entertaining evening of some of the very best in short films by some of the very best up-and-coming filmmakers.You are invited to the award ceremony and screening of finalists taking place in Elgin, IL on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

An exciting weekend workshop, just for dancers ages 8-13! Camp PULSE features the masterminds behind your favorite Nickelodeon and Disney TV Shows and Movies, including: Shake It Up, iCarly, Camp Rock, Victorious, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, and MORE! Dancers and teachers walk away from our conventions inspired and motivated to reach their next goals in dance. Our faculty and staff are proud of their dedication to building genuine relationships through personal interaction with dancers, parents and teachers. We realize there are many options out there for a dancer’s education, and we hope you will join us for a dance experience of a lifetime!

Hours: Sat. 12-5, Sun.7-4. Admission:$5 adults, children 12 and younger, free. "The Best in the Midwest or Anywhere" - Up to 1,000 dealers display and sell antiques, collectibles, & fancy junque. A country breakfast is served on Sundays

Charming, historic downtown Long Grove is the destination for the holiday season. Visitors will enjoy a variety of family fun beginning Thanksgiving weekend through Christmas Eve. Weekends enjoy caroling, Santa strolling around for photo ops, horse-drawn carriage rides and more! Plus, the Free Gift Program continues through December 24th. Long Grove will provide a free gift to customers that spend $150 in our shops and restaurants. Gifts available at the Visitor's Center.

Singin' in The Rain is based on the 1952 American musical comedy film. It offers a lighthearted depiction of Hollywood in the late '20s, with the three stars portraying performers caught up in the transition from silent films to talkies. This play will offer the audience some splashy old-fashioned fun.

Off Square Music is an organization of volunteers who wish to share the folk music art with others in many different ways. We invite the public to be a part of the experience during Open Mic Nights on the second and fourth Fridays of every month* beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Stage Left Café in the Historic Woodstock Square. *Open Mic Nights will be held on the first and third Friday in August.

Its the best eye candy ever! The Regenstein Center Greenhouses and Galleries are transformed by trees draped in orange and yellow Dendrobium, a hanging hedge of pink and purple Beallara, and vibrant Vanda in orange, red, yellow, and even blue. See more than 10,000 orchids in all. Bring a camera.